Navigating the world of menstrual health can be tricky, but knowing what constitutes a "normal" period is the first step towards understanding your body and addressing the pain gap. Let’s break down the key features of a healthy menstrual cycle.
The Pain Gap: What It Is and Why It Matters
The "pain gap" refers to the disparity in how women's pain is often overlooked, misdiagnosed, or dismissed by healthcare professionals. Studies show that women are more likely than men to have their pain under-treated or dismissed as emotional or psychological. For instance, research indicates that it takes longer for women to be diagnosed with chronic pain conditions compared to men, and they are less likely to be prescribed adequate pain relief.
The first step in addressing the pain gap is to raise awareness and educate ourselves about what constitutes a normal menstrual cycle and when to seek medical advice. By understanding the signs of a healthy period, women can better recognize when something is amiss and fight for answers.
Unravelling the Mystery of Period Problems: It's All About Hormones
The increase and decrease of serotonin is a normal part of a woman's menstrual cycle, influenced by the hormonal changes that occur throughout the month.
However, the various symptoms that many women experience, such as mood swings, fatigue, food cravings, and sleep problems, are often caused by hormonal imbalances and are a sign that your hormones are out of whack and there is an underlying issue that needs resolving.
What a Normal Period Should Look Like?
Let’s break down the key features of a healthy menstrual cycle.
1. Your Menstrual Cycle is Between 26-35 Days
A normal menstrual cycle should last between 26 to 35 days. This means from the first day of your period to the first day of your next period, the duration falls within this range. While some variation is normal, consistently shorter or longer cycles may indicate an underlying issue.
2. Your Period is Pain-Free
Period cramps are caused by natural chemicals that cause the muscles and blood vessels of uterus to contract and shed.
Ideally, your period should be pain-free or involve only mild discomfort. But we clearly have a problem with defining what that means - evident by research that shows delay of 3-11 years from the onset of endometriosis symptoms to a final diagnosis. That means many women spend years being told (by a doctor) that severe pain they are experiencing is just "part of being a woman", which is not. This delay not only prolongs suffering but can also lead to worsening of the condition and impact overall quality of life.
If you find yourself needing a pain killer to combat pain and continue with your normal activities, that is a strong sign, you have got an underlying issue. And no, you are not being a wuss.
Our bodies were not meant to experience pain as part of our natural menstrual process.
3. You Only Bleed During the Days You Have Your Period
Bleeding should only occur during your period days, typically lasting 3-7 days. Spotting or bleeding outside of this window could indicate hormonal imbalances or other health concerns that should be addressed with your doctor.
4. The Blood is a Healthy Red Colour
Healthy menstrual blood is a bright red colour. While it’s normal to see some variation, such as darker blood at the start or end of your period, consistently brown or extremely dark blood could signal a problem and warrants a check-up.
5. Emotional Symptoms – Minimal to None
Emotional symptoms many of us experience are caused by fluctuations of serotonin, a brain chemical (neurotransmitter) that's thought to play a crucial role in mood states. Insufficient amounts of serotonin may contribute to premenstrual depression, as well as to fatigue, food cravings, and sleep problems. It is a sign your hormones are not happy. If emotional symptoms are significantly affecting your daily life, it may be time to seek help.
Conclusion
Understanding what a normal period looks like is crucial for monitoring your menstrual health. A cycle between 26-35 days, pain-free periods, bleeding only during your period, healthy red blood, and minimal emotional symptoms are key indicators. If your experience deviates significantly from these norms, consider consulting a healthcare provider to explore potential underlying causes. Your menstrual health is a vital part of your overall well-being, so don’t hesitate to seek support when needed!
Further Steps
If you find, that you are experiencing any of the symptoms above and want to delve deeper into the differences between PMS and PMDD, or to explore natural supplements that can help with hormonal imbalances, check out our other blog posts on the topic. Empower yourself with knowledge and take control of your menstrual health!